AI News and Gurus
AI News and Gurus: The Show for Intelligent Distributors
On-Demand
The show that tells distribution leaders what AI actually changes for their business.
Distributors are sitting on more data than ever, yet profit continues to leak out of the business one transaction at a time. New research from Distribution Strategy Group and Cavallo finds an execution gap that costs the industry an estimated 3-5% of revenue annually, driven by incomplete supplier pass-through, manual pricing errors, small order losses, and unasked-for discounts. At the same time, financial crime and fraud are accelerating, with AI amplifying both the sophistication of attacks and the tools available to defend against them.
This episode brings two distinct perspectives to the table. Joining us is J. Michael Skiba, MBA, Ph.D. (Dr. Fraud), COO/President of International Fraud Training Group, to examine the evolving financial crime and fraud landscape distributors face today. In a separate segment, Michael Biwer, CEO of Cavallo, will walk through findings from the new DSG/Cavallo research report, “Closing the Execution Gap,” along with a Cavallo case study showing how distributors are applying profit intelligence to recover margin at the transaction level.
Our expert hosts Brian Hopkins and Brooks Hamilton cut through the AI noise with the AI Pulse Check on recent developments, Industry Gurus Unplugged on real-world wins and lessons, a Tech Guru Spotlight on solutions that move the needle, and an Emerging Blueprint on trends poised to reshape competitive advantage.
Key Takeaways
- The four profit leakage points costing distributors 150-200 basis points of margin annually
- Why measurement without action creates the illusion of control while profits leak away
- A Cavallo case study showing order-level profit intelligence in practice
- Where financial crime and fraud are hitting distributors hardest right now
- How AI is reshaping both the threat landscape and the defense toolkit
What You’ll Learn
- How to put transaction-level profit insights in the hands of the people quoting orders
- What the 12-18 month competitive advantage window looks like for early movers on profit intelligence
- How to assess your organization’s exposure to AI-enabled financial crime
- Practical fraud prevention approaches working in distribution today
- The AI developments distribution leaders can’t afford to ignore this month
Who Should Attend
Sales, technology, and operations leaders evaluating AI solutions for profit and risk together distribution knowledge and technical expertise to help you identify the competitive edge while competitors struggle to separate hype from reality..
CEOs and COOs responsible for margin performance and operational discipline
CFOs and finance leaders focused on profitability, pricing governance, and fraud prevention
Industry Guest
J. Michael Skiba, MBA, Ph.D.
“Dr. Fraud”
COO/President, International Fraud Training Group
Michael Biwer
CEO, Cavallo
Sponsor
Guests
J. Michael Skiba, MBA, Ph.D. “Dr. Fraud”
COO/President, International Fraud Training Group
Dr. J. Michael Skiba, also known as Dr. Fraud ®, is an international expert on financial/cybercrime and has been named one of the top crime fighters in the world. He worked in the fraud industry for 22 years (investigator, analyst, director, and Vice President International Counter Fraud) and for the last nine years has worked as COO/President of the International Fraud Training Group, a company he cofounded, in every international region (101 countries!) as a consultant, trainer, and speaker on financial crime. International governments, private companies, and colleges regularly call upon him to speak (over 400 keynotes) and offer training on his global expertise including recent engagements in South Africa, Brazil, Malaysia, and the Nordics. He is also an International Financial Crime Expert and Tactical Intelligence Officer for the United Nations and is the lead consultant and trainer globally for the UN in his area of expertise.
Michael Biwer
CEO, Cavallo
Michael Biwer is the CEO of Cavallo. Under Michael’s leadership, Cavallo has accelerated product development and driven double-digit recurring revenue growth. He previously served as CEO of Mapp Digital and held executive roles at Trilogy and Acxiom. Michael holds both a BBA and MBA from the University of Michigan and is known for his curiosity and innovation-driven approach.
Hosts
Brian Hopkins
Chief Operations Officer, Distribution Strategy Group
Brian Hopkins is recognized for his expertise in customer service and operational efficiency within the industrial distribution sector. His career trajectory showcases a series of impactful leadership roles, marked by innovation and strategic growth.
Brooks Hamilton
Founder and CEO, AI Strategy Advisors
Brooks Hamilton is the founder and CEO of AI Strategy Advisors, which helps large enterprises build and implement AI strategies. With a deep understanding of both AI technology and business operations, his company is positioned to help organizations navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Previously, Brooks held executive positions at Zilliant, where he worked with dozens of leading distributors to design and deploy AI sales, pricing, and revenue management applications.
Ian Heller
Chief Strategy Officer, Distribution Strategy Group
Ian Heller joined Grainger as a part-time truck unloader in college and left fifteen years later as the VP Marketing. Since then, he’s held senior executive positions at four other publicly-held firms, consulted with dozens of distributors, and continues to write and speak extensively on how AI, strategy, channel evolution, and other major trends affect the industry. Ian holds a B.A. in History from Roosevelt University and an MBA from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University.